Brown Spots on New Sod

Facts

• Brown spots can occur in a sod lawn for a number of reasons. Among the top reasons are a lack of water or poor sod-to-soil contact, which reduces root growth. Other reasons include dog urine, fertilizer burn or disease.

Assessment

• To determine the reason for the brown spot, first review your sprinkler pattern. Brown spots will likely be receiving little to no water. To test root growth, carefully pull up on the piece of sod. If it lifts off the ground, the roots have not grown into the soil, and the result is dead grass.

Corrective Action

• Dead sod pieces or spots will most likely need replacement. Simply cut the section out with a shovel or other garden tool. Place a new piece of sod into the open space, adding some starter fertilizer and water to the new sod.